Islamic Months and Holy Days: A Shia Calendar for Kids
اسلامی مہینے اور مقدس دن
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا
All twelve months of the Islamic year, from Muharram to Dhu al-Hijjah: the birthdays and martyrdoms of the Ma'sumeen (A.S.), the birthdays of Lady Zainab, Hazrat Abbas, Hazrat Ali Akbar and Lady Ma'sumah, Ashura, Laylat al-Qadr, and our Eids, with what happened on each day and the recommended acts.
What is in this book
One chapter for each month of the Islamic year, then a chapter on our Eids. Open the chapter of the month we are in now, learn its holy days, and try its quiz.
Allah's calendar: twelve months of the moon
اللہ کا کیلنڈر
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ
“The number of months with Allah is twelve months in the Book of Allah, from the day He created the heavens and the earth; four of them are sacred.”
The Islamic calendar follows the moon. A new month begins when the thin crescent of the new moon is seen after sunset, so each month has 29 or 30 days. Twelve moon months make about 354 days, which is 10 or 11 days shorter than the solar year. That is why Ramadan and Muharram move a little earlier every year, and over the years they visit every season. Children who study at our Shia Quran and Islamic studies academy learn these days with their teachers through the year.
The years are counted from the Hijrah, when the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) migrated from Makkah to Madinah. So we write AH, “after the Hijrah”. The four sacred months are Muharram, Rajab, Dhu al-Qa'dah and Dhu al-Hijjah.
This date is calculated, not sighted. The real start of each month depends on sighting the new moon, so it may differ by a day where you live. Follow your local Islamic centre or your Marja's office, such as the office of Ayatullah Sistani.
How to read the tables
- Birth a birthday, a day of celebration.
- Martyrdom a martyrdom or passing, a day of mourning.
- Eid an Eid or a great day of joy.
Dates follow the reports most widely followed by Shia Muslims, as given in Mafatih al-Jinan by Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi. Where another report exists, it is mentioned.
Muharram: the new year and the month of Imam Husain (A.S.)
محرم الحرام
Muharram opens the Islamic year. It is one of the four sacred months, and for the followers of the Ahlulbayt (A.S.) it is above all the month of Imam Husain (A.S.) and Karbala.
| Day | What we remember |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Islamic New Year |
| 10 | Ashura: the martyrdom of Imam Husain (A.S.), his family and companions at Karbala, 61 AH |
| 25 | Martyrdom of Imam Zain al-Abideen (A.S.), 95 AH (other reports: 12th or 18th) |
What is Ashura?
On the 10th of Muharram in the year 61 AH, Imam Husain (A.S.), the grandson of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.), was martyred at Karbala in Iraq with members of his family and his loyal companions. The ruler Yazid demanded that the Imam pledge allegiance to him, but Yazid openly broke the laws of Islam. Imam Husain refused, saying that one like him would never pledge allegiance to one like Yazid, and he rose to revive the religion of his grandfather and to command good and forbid evil. After his martyrdom, the women and children of the Prophet's family were taken captive, and Lady Zainab (S.A.) and Imam Zain al-Abideen (A.S.) carried his message to the world. Ashura is the day the believers remember, mourn and renew their promise to stand for truth.
Read the full story, from the beginning to the end, in our book Karbala: The Story of Imam Husain (A.S.), and his life in Ahlulbayt (A.S.) for Kids.
For a step-by-step account written for children, read what happened on Ashura, a timeline for children.
Recommended acts
- Attending majalis, the gatherings of remembrance, and listening to the story of Karbala.
- Reciting Ziyarat Ashura, and sending salaam to Imam Husain (A.S.) facing towards Karbala.
- On the day of Ashura, staying away from celebration and normal amusement, as a sign of grief.
- Holding back from food and drink until after Asr, then eating something simple, as the books of a'mal advise. This is not a full fast.
- Giving water and food to people in his name, and helping others as he taught.
مَنْ كَانَ يَوْمُ عَاشُورَاءَ يَوْمَ مُصِيبَتِهِ وَحُزْنِهِ وَبُكَائِهِ، جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَوْمَ فَرَحِهِ وَسُرُورِهِ
“Whoever makes the day of Ashura a day of grief, sorrow and tears, Allah will make the Day of Judgement a day of joy and happiness for him.”
Source: al-Amali, Shaykh al-Saduq
Safar: Arba'een, and the passing of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.)
صفر المظفر
The sorrow of Muharram continues into Safar, as the captives of Karbala were taken to Kufa and Damascus. It also holds the passing of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) himself.
| Day | What we remember |
|---|---|
| 7 | Birth of Imam Musa al-Kazim (A.S.), 128 AH (another report: 7 Safar is the martyrdom of Imam Hasan (A.S.)) |
| 20 | Arba'een: the 40th day after Ashura |
| 28 | Passing of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.), 11 AH, and martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (A.S.), 50 AH |
| Last day | Martyrdom of Imam Ali al-Ridha (A.S.), 203 AH |
Arba'een
Forty days after Ashura, Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari, the companion of the Prophet, reached Karbala and became the first to visit the grave of Imam Husain (A.S.). Today millions of believers walk to Karbala for Arba'een, one of the largest gatherings on earth.
Recommended acts
- Reciting Ziyarat al-Arba'een.
- Attending majalis for the Holy Prophet, Imam Hasan and Imam al-Ridha (A.S.).
- Giving charity, which the Imams taught protects from hardship.
عَلَامَاتُ الْمُؤْمِنِ خَمْسٌ: صَلَاةُ الْإِحْدَى وَالْخَمْسِينَ، وَزِيَارَةُ الْأَرْبَعِينَ، وَالتَّخَتُّمُ فِي الْيَمِينِ، وَتَعْفِيرُ الْجَبِينِ، وَالْجَهْرُ بِبِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
“The signs of a believer are five: the fifty-one rak'ahs of prayer each day, the Ziyarah of Arba'een, wearing a ring on the right hand, placing the forehead on the earth in sajdah, and saying Bismillah aloud.”
Source: Tahdhib al-Ahkam, Shaykh al-Tusi
Rabi' al-Awwal: the birth of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.)
ربیع الاول
After two months of sorrow, Rabi' al-Awwal brings joy: it is the month in which the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) was born, and in which he began his Hijrah to Madinah.
| Day | What we remember |
|---|---|
| 1 | Laylat al-Mabit: Imam Ali (A.S.) slept in the Prophet's bed, and the Hijrah began, in the 13th year of the mission |
| 8 | Martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Askari (A.S.), 260 AH |
| 9 | Beginning of the Imamate of Imam al-Mahdi (A.T.F.S.) |
| 12 to 17 | Unity Week, between the dates Sunni and Shia Muslims give for the Prophet's birth |
| 17 | Birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.), in the Year of the Elephant, and birth of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (A.S.), 83 AH |
The 17th: a double celebration
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) was born in Makkah in the Year of the Elephant, the year Abraha's army came to destroy the Ka'bah. Many years later, on the same date, his descendant Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (A.S.) was born, who taught thousands of students and from whom the school of Fiqh Jaffari takes its name.
Recommended acts
- Celebrating the birth of the Prophet with salawat, gatherings and gifts.
- Fasting on the 17th, which is highly recommended.
- Reciting the Ziyarah of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.).
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
“And We did not send you except as a mercy to all the worlds.”
Rabi' al-Thani: the birth of Imam Hasan al-Askari (A.S.)
ربیع الثانی
Rabi' al-Thani is a quieter month, a good time to keep up good habits from the celebrations of Rabi' al-Awwal.
| Day | What we remember |
|---|---|
| 8 | Birth of Imam Hasan al-Askari (A.S.), 232 AH (another report: the 10th) |
Imam Hasan al-Askari (A.S.)
The eleventh Imam lived most of his life under watch in the military town of Samarra, which is why he is called al-Askari. Despite this, he guided his followers through letters and trusted representatives, preparing them for the occultation of his son, Imam al-Mahdi (A.T.F.S.).
Recommended acts
- Celebrating the birth of the eleventh Imam.
- Learning one of his sayings by heart.
- Continuing the daily duas and Qur'an recitation.
He taught that worship is not only a lot of fasting and prayer, but thinking deeply about the creation of Allah.
Source: Tuhaf al-Uqul
Jumada al-Ula: Lady Zainab (S.A.) and the first Fatimiyyah
جمادی الاولیٰ
| Day | What we remember |
|---|---|
| 5 | Birth of Lady Zainab (S.A.), daughter of Imam Ali and Lady Fatima, 5 AH |
| 13 | The first Fatimiyyah: the martyrdom of Lady Fatima al-Zahra (S.A.), by the report that she lived 75 days after the Prophet |
Lady Zainab (S.A.)
Lady Zainab grew up in the house of Imam Ali and Lady Fatima (A.S.), and became known for her knowledge, patience and courage. After Karbala, she spoke the truth bravely in the courts of Kufa and Damascus, and she is honoured as the one who carried the message of Imam Husain (A.S.).
Fatimiyyah
Shia reports differ on how long Lady Fatima (S.A.) lived after her father: 75 days or 95 days. So many communities hold two periods of mourning, the first in Jumada al-Ula and the second in Jumada al-Thani.
Recommended acts
- Celebrating the birth of Lady Zainab (S.A.) and learning about her.
- Attending the majalis of the first Fatimiyyah.
- Reciting the Tasbih of Lady Fatima (S.A.) after every Namaz.
فَاطِمَةُ بَضْعَةٌ مِنِّي
“Fatima is a part of me.”
Source: al-Amali, Shaykh al-Saduq
Jumada al-Thani: the martyrdom and birth of Lady Fatima (S.A.)
جمادی الثانیہ
| Day | What we remember |
|---|---|
| 3 | The second Fatimiyyah: the martyrdom of Lady Fatima al-Zahra (S.A.), 11 AH, by the report of 95 days |
| 20 | Birth of Lady Fatima al-Zahra (S.A.), in the 5th year after the mission began |
Lady Fatima al-Zahra (S.A.)
Lady Fatima was the daughter of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) and Lady Khadijah (S.A.), the wife of Imam Ali (A.S.) and the mother of Imam Hasan, Imam Husain and Lady Zainab. The Prophet called her Umm Abiha, “the mother of her father”, for her love and care for him. In many places her birthday, the 20th, is celebrated as Mother's Day.
Recommended acts
- Attending the majalis of the second Fatimiyyah.
- On the 20th, celebrating her birth and honouring mothers.
- Reading about her life in Ahlulbayt (A.S.) for Kids.
إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ
“Indeed, We have given you al-Kawthar (abundant good).” Many Shia scholars explain that this abundant good includes Lady Fatima (S.A.) and the blessed line of the Prophet through her.
Rajab: the birth of Imam Ali (A.S.) and the Mab'ath
رجب المرجب
Rajab begins the three blessed months of Rajab, Sha'ban and Ramadan. It is full of births of the Imams and is a month of dua and seeking forgiveness.
| Day | What we remember |
|---|---|
| 1 | Birth of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (A.S.), 57 AH |
| First Thursday night | Laylat al-Ragha'ib, the night of wishes |
| 3 | Martyrdom of Imam Ali al-Hadi (A.S.), 254 AH |
| 10 | Birth of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (A.S.), 195 AH |
| 13 | Birth of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S.), inside the Ka'bah, 30 years after the Year of the Elephant |
| 13 to 15 | Ayyam al-Bid, the “white days”, and the a'mal of Umm Dawud on the 15th |
| 25 | Martyrdom of Imam Musa al-Kazim (A.S.), 183 AH |
| 27 | Al-Mab'ath: the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) is sent with the first revelation |
13 Rajab: born in the House of Allah
Imam Ali (A.S.) was born inside the Ka'bah itself, an honour given to no one before or after him. His mother, Fatima bint Asad, came to the Ka'bah in pain and prayed; the wall opened for her, and she stayed inside for three days.
27 Rajab: al-Mab'ath
When the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) was forty years old, while he was worshipping in the cave of Hira, the angel Jibrail brought him the first verses of the Quran: “Read in the name of your Lord who created.” This is the day his mission as the final Messenger began.
Recommended acts
- Fasting as much as you can in Rajab, especially on the 13th, 14th and 15th.
- Reciting the dua taught for every day of Rajab, “Ya man arjuhu li-kulli khayr”, from Mafatih al-Jinan.
- Saying “Astaghfirullah” often, seeking forgiveness.
- On the 27th: ghusl, fasting and celebrating the Mab'ath.
اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ
“Read in the name of your Lord who created.”
Sha'ban: the birth of Imam Husain, Abbas, Imam Sajjad, Ali Akbar and Imam al-Mahdi
شعبان المعظم
Sha'ban is called the month of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.). It is full of joyful births, and it prepares us for Ramadan.
| Day | What we remember |
|---|---|
| 3 | Birth of Imam Husain (A.S.), 4 AH |
| 4 | Birth of Hazrat Abbas ibn Ali (A.S.), 26 AH |
| 5 | Birth of Imam Zain al-Abideen (A.S.), 38 AH |
| 11 | Birth of Hazrat Ali Akbar (A.S.), son of Imam Husain |
| 15 | Birth of Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (A.T.F.S.), the Imam of our time, 255 AH |
Hazrat Abbas and Hazrat Ali Akbar
Hazrat Abbas, the son of Imam Ali (A.S.) and Umm al-Banin, was the brave standard-bearer of Imam Husain at Karbala, known as Qamar Bani Hashim, “the moon of Bani Hashim”, and Bab al-Hawa'ij, “the door to needs”. Hazrat Ali Akbar, the son of Imam Husain, was known for looking and speaking most like the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.).
15 Sha'ban
Imam al-Mahdi (A.T.F.S.), the son of Imam Hasan al-Askari (A.S.), was born in Samarra. He is our twelfth Imam, alive and in occultation, and Allah will bring him to fill the earth with justice. The night of the 15th is one of the most blessed nights of the year. Imam Ali (A.S.) taught the famous Dua Kumayl to his companion Kumayl on this night.
Recommended acts
- Reciting the Salawat of Sha'ban each day at noon, from Mafatih al-Jinan.
- Fasting some days of Sha'ban.
- On the night of the 15th: ghusl, staying awake in worship, Dua Kumayl, and the Ziyarah of Imam Husain (A.S.).
- Reciting the dua for Imam al-Zaman, “Allahumma kun li-waliyyik…”, found in our Daily Duas book.
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) used to fast in Sha'ban, and called it his month.
Source: Wasa'il al-Shi'ah
Ramadan: the month of fasting, the Quran and Laylat al-Qadr
رمضان المبارک
Ramadan is the month of Allah, in which the Quran was revealed. Every adult Muslim who is able must fast from dawn to sunset, and every night holds a chance for forgiveness.
| Day | What we remember |
|---|---|
| 10 | Passing of Lady Khadijah (S.A.), the first wife of the Prophet and the first woman to accept Islam, in the 10th year of the mission |
| 15 | Birth of Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (A.S.), 3 AH |
| 19 | Imam Ali (A.S.) is struck with a sword while in sajdah in the mosque of Kufa, 40 AH |
| 19, 21, 23 | The Nights of Qadr |
| 21 | Martyrdom of Imam Ali (A.S.), 40 AH |
Laylat al-Qadr
Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree, is better than a thousand months. Shia narrations point to the 19th, 21st and especially the 23rd nights. On these nights, believers stay awake in prayer, recite Dua al-Jawshan al-Kabir, place the Quran on their heads asking Allah by its right, and ask forgiveness.
The rules of fasting are explained in our Namaz and Roza book.
Recommended acts
- Fasting every day, if you are old enough and able.
- Reciting the Quran: one recitation in Ramadan is like a whole recitation in other months.
- Reciting the short duas for each day of Ramadan.
- Feeding a fasting person at iftar.
- Staying awake in worship on the Nights of Qadr.
لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
“The Night of Qadr is better than a thousand months.”
Shawwal: Eid al-Fitr and Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (A.S.)
شوال المکرم
| Day | What we remember |
|---|---|
| 1 | Eid al-Fitr |
| 25 | Martyrdom of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (A.S.), 148 AH |
Shawwal begins with the joy of Eid al-Fitr, the reward for a month of fasting. The story and the acts of Eid are explained in the chapter on our Eids.
Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (A.S.)
The sixth Imam taught in Madinah at a time when knowledge spread across the Muslim world. Thousands of students learned from him, and so much of our Fiqh comes from him that the Shia school of law is called Fiqh Jaffari after him.
Recommended acts
- Celebrating Eid al-Fitr (see the chapter on our Eids).
- Fasting six days of Shawwal after Eid, which is recommended.
- Attending majalis on the 25th for Imam al-Sadiq (A.S.).
كُونُوا زَيْنًا وَلَا تَكُونُوا شَيْنًا
“Be an adornment for us, and do not be a cause of shame for us.”
Source: al-Amali, Shaykh al-Saduq
Dhu al-Qa'dah: Lady Ma'sumah and Imam al-Ridha (A.S.)
ذوالقعدہ
| Day | What we remember |
|---|---|
| 1 | Birth of Lady Fatima al-Ma'sumah (S.A.), sister of Imam al-Ridha, 173 AH |
| 11 | Birth of Imam Ali al-Ridha (A.S.), 148 AH |
| 25 | Dahw al-Ard: the day the earth was spread out from beneath the Ka'bah |
| Last day | Martyrdom of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (A.S.), 220 AH |
Lady Ma'sumah and Imam al-Ridha
Imam al-Ridha (A.S.), the eighth Imam, was born in Madinah and buried in Mashhad in Iran, where millions visit his shrine. His sister, Lady Fatima al-Ma'sumah (S.A.), set out to visit him, fell ill on the way and passed away in Qum, where her shrine stands today. The 1st to the 11th of Dhu al-Qa'dah is celebrated in many places as the “ten days of dignity” between their two births.
Recommended acts
- Celebrating the births of Lady Ma'sumah and Imam al-Ridha (A.S.).
- Fasting on the 25th, Dahw al-Ard, which is recommended.
- Attending majalis at the end of the month for Imam al-Jawad (A.S.).
وَالْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ دَحَاهَا
“And after that He spread out the earth.”
Dhu al-Hijjah: Hajj, Arafah and three Eids
ذوالحجہ
| Day | What we remember |
|---|---|
| 1 | Marriage of Imam Ali and Lady Fatima (A.S.), 2 AH |
| 7 | Martyrdom of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (A.S.), 114 AH |
| 9 | The Day of Arafah |
| 10 | Eid al-Adha |
| 15 | Birth of Imam Ali al-Hadi (A.S.), 212 AH (another report: in Rajab) |
| 18 | Eid al-Ghadir, 10 AH |
| 24 | Eid al-Mubahalah |
Dhu al-Hijjah is the month of Hajj and of three Eids. Its first ten days are among the best days of the year for good deeds.
The Day of Arafah
On the 9th, the pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafat. On this day Imam Husain (A.S.) recited his famous Dua Arafah, one of the most beautiful duas ever spoken. Those who are not on Hajj can recite it at home.
Recommended acts
- Doing extra good deeds in the first ten days.
- On the Day of Arafah: reciting Dua Arafah of Imam Husain (A.S.) and asking forgiveness.
- Celebrating Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Ghadir and Eid al-Mubahalah (see the chapter on our Eids).
- Celebrating the birth of Imam al-Hadi (A.S.) on the 15th.
وَالْفَجْرِ وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ
“By the dawn, and the ten nights.” Many commentators explain these as the first ten nights of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Our Eids: what happened on each, and why we celebrate
ہماری عیدیں
Besides the birthdays of the Ma'sumeen (A.S.), Islam has days of celebration called Eid. Each one is linked to a great act of worship or a great event. Here is what happened on each, and why we celebrate.
Eid al-Fitr: 1 Shawwal
What it is: the day after the month of Ramadan ends. Why we celebrate: to thank Allah for helping us complete the fast. Imam al-Sadiq (A.S.) explained that a worker is paid when his work is done, and the night of Eid is when the fasting person receives his reward (Furu' al-Kafi).
- Give Zakat al-Fitrah for every member of the family before the Eid prayer.
- Do ghusl and pray the Eid prayer.
- Say the takbir of Eid after Maghrib and Isha on the night of Eid, after Fajr, and at the Eid prayer, as Imam al-Sadiq (A.S.) taught: اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ عَلَى مَا هَدَانَا (Furu' al-Kafi).
- Wear clean clothes, visit family and give gifts.
Eid al-Adha: 10 Dhu al-Hijjah
What happened: Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) was ready to sacrifice his son Ismail (A.S.) at Allah's command, and Allah saved Ismail and sent a great sacrifice in his place. Why we celebrate: to remember their obedience and trust in Allah, and because it is the great day of Hajj.
- Pray the Eid prayer.
- Offer a sacrifice (qurbani) if you can, and share the meat with the poor, neighbours and family.
- Say the takbirat of Eid al-Adha after the prayers, as the books of fiqh explain.
لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَٰكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ
“Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah; what reaches Him is your piety.”
Eid al-Ghadir: 18 Dhu al-Hijjah
What happened: In 10 AH, returning from his last Hajj, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) stopped the great caravan of pilgrims at Ghadir Khumm. Allah had commanded him: “O Messenger, convey what has been sent down to you from your Lord” (5:67). On a raised platform, he held up the hand of Imam Ali (A.S.) and announced: “Whoever I am his master, this Ali is his master.” Then the verse was revealed: “Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My blessing upon you, and approved Islam as your religion” (5:3). Why we celebrate: it is the day Allah perfected His religion through the wilayah of Imam Ali (A.S.). The Imams called it the greatest Eid of Allah. Read more in our article on Eid al-Ghadir, the day Allah completed Islam.
- Ghusl and fasting, which are highly recommended.
- Greeting believers with the words in Mafatih al-Jinan: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي جَعَلَنَا مِنَ الْمُتَمَسِّكِينَ بِوِلَايَةِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْأَئِمَّةِ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ, “Praise be to Allah who made us among those who hold fast to the wilayah of the Commander of the Faithful and the Imams (A.S.).”
- Giving gifts, feeding others and making peace between people.
مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلَاهُ فَهَذَا عَلِيٌّ مَوْلَاهُ
“Whoever I am his master, this Ali is his master.”
Source: Usul al-Kafi; al-Amali, Shaykh al-Saduq; and many other books of Shia and Sunni Muslims
Eid al-Mubahalah: 24 Dhu al-Hijjah
What happened: A group of Christians from Najran came to Madinah and debated with the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W.) about Prophet Isa (A.S.). When they would not accept the truth, Allah revealed the verse of Mubahalah, telling the Prophet to invite them to a mutual prayer calling Allah's curse on whoever was lying. The Prophet came out with only four people: Imam Ali, Lady Fatima, Imam Hasan and Imam Husain (A.S.). When the Christians saw their faces, their leader said that if these people asked Allah to move a mountain, He would move it, and they withdrew from the Mubahalah and made a peace agreement instead. Why we celebrate: the verse shows the truth of Islam, and it names the Ahlulbayt (A.S.) as the Prophet's “sons”, “women” and “selves”: Imam Hasan and Imam Husain as his sons, Lady Fatima as the woman, and Imam Ali as his very self.
فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَأَبْنَاءَكُمْ وَنِسَاءَنَا وَنِسَاءَكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وَأَنفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَل لَّعْنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ
“Say: Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then let us pray earnestly and place the curse of Allah on the liars.”
- Ghusl, fasting and the dua of Mubahalah from Mafatih al-Jinan.
- Giving charity, remembering that Imam Ali (A.S.) also gave his ring to a poor man while in ruku, as Surah al-Ma'idah 5:55 describes.
Friday: the weekly Eid
Every Friday is a day of Eid for the believers: a day for ghusl, clean clothes, perfume, extra salawat, Namaz al-Jumu'ah or Zuhr in congregation, and Dua Nudbah or other duas for the Imam of our time (A.T.F.S.).
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